Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

National campaigns against drunk driving have had some success driving down the number of people who get behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated. Nevertheless, drunk driving collisions happen far too often, especially in Georgia and Rockdale County.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia saw almost 3,700 DUI deaths in a 10-year period, from 2003 to 2012. About 1.4% of Georgians also reported that they have driven while intoxicated in the past 30 days, and this number is probably low.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, you should seek compensation for your injuries. An experienced drunk driving accident attorney in Rockdale County can help in the process.

How Alcohol Impairs Driving

There is a simple reason that Georgia criminalizes drunk driving and metes out harsh penalties to those who break the law. Alcohol has a dramatic effect on a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. For example, alcohol can:

  • Impair judgment. A drunk driver might take more risks than a sober driver. For example, a drunk driver might turn right in front of an oncoming vehicle and get hit as a result.
  • Impede concentration. A drunk driver can easily get distracted or become too focused on only one task that they neglect others (such as using turn signals).
  • Limit comprehension. A drunk driver cannot interpret a situation and respond quickly the way a sober driver can.
  • Reduces vision. A drunk driver cannot see as clearly. In fact, visual acuity can drop by about 33%.
  • Slows reflexes. A driver will not react as quickly to a situation after having too many drinks. Reaction times slow by up to 25%.

There is no safe amount of alcohol to consume before driving, so motorists should avoid alcoholic beverages altogether if they anticipate needing to drive. Instead, hail a cab or ask a friend to drive.

Drunk Driving Accident Injuries

In our drunk driving cases, we see many of the same injuries as with other car accidents:

  • Broken bones
  • Soft-tissue injuries
  • Contusions
  • Cuts or lacerations
  • Whiplash

However, the injuries associated with drunk driving can often be more severe because a drunk driver is more prone to head-on collisions, which are particularly dangerous. Head-on crashes can cause:

  • Moderate or severe traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Permanent nerve damage

After a crash, you need to get immediate medical attention. Call emergency services, if necessary, to come pick you up, and don’t move if you feel intense pain. After a doctor looks you over, remember to follow his or her advice to the letter. You don’t want to do anything that compromises your recovery.

Compensation after a Drunk Driving Accident

The intoxicated driver might be prosecuted, but you can still bring a civil lawsuit for monetary compensation. If successful, you can receive money to pay for:

  • All medical expenses, including doctor’s visits, hospital overnights, surgery, rehabilitation, and prescription drugs
  • Future medical expenses, if your injuries are so serious you will need continuing care
  • Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering

It is hard to estimate how much you might be eligible for, but you can meet with an attorney to review your medical bills, pay stubs, and car repair estimates. Each case is different and turns on its own facts.

One complication in drunk driving accidents is whether you are partially responsible for your own injuries. For example, you might have voluntarily gotten into a car with a driver you knew was drunk. Are you partially responsible if you end up getting injured in a crash? Georgia law allows accident victims to receive compensation only if they are less negligent than all other parties. In a consultation, a lawyer can discuss this and other complications that arise in drunk driving accidents.

How a Rockdale County Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help

Most accident victims will settle their disputes without ever having to go to court. However, settlement negotiations are very complicated, and inexperienced people settle for far less than they are entitled to.
At MG Law, we carefully review your injuries to determine what is fair compensation. Then we develop a negotiation strategy that seeks to maximize the amount we obtain from the drunk driver’s insurance company. Sometimes, increasing the amount of compensation requires that we negotiate aggressively with the insurance companies, which like to use delay tactics.
If you have been involved in a collision, you probably are confused about your next steps. Don’t fear. Our firm has helped hundreds of injured motorists obtain compensation after a crash, and we know how to set you up for success.
For help, please schedule a free consultation by calling 770-691-6019. One of the lawyers at MG Law will be happy to meet with you to discuss your accident.

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